The 33-year-old defenseman became an unrestricted free agent after he was placed on unconditional waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday for the purpose of a buyout. Johnson had three seasons remaining on a five-year, $16.25 million contract (average annual value $3.25 million) he signed with Pittsburgh on July 1, 2018. In two seasons with the Penguins he scored 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 149 games.
Johnson scored 11 points (three goals, eight assists) and averaged 19:28 of ice time in 67 games last season. He did not have a point in four postseason games as the Penguins lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the best-of-5 Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
Johnson has scored 302 points (70 goals, 232 assists) in 937 games for the Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings.
The Rangers also agreed to terms with forwards
Kevin Rooney
,
Colin Blackwell
and
Jonny Brodzinski
, defenseman
Anthony Bitetto
and goalie
Keith Kinkaid
.
Blackwell scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 33 games with the Nashville Predators. Brodzinski had one assist in three games with the San Jose Sharks and scored 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 44 games with San Jose of the American Hockey League.
Bitetto had eight assists in 51 games with the Winnipeg Jets and was second among Jets defensemen with 145 hits.
Kinkaid was 1-1-3 with an .875 save percentage in six games (five starts) with the Montreal Canadiens, and an .876 save percentage in 13 games with Laval of the AHL.
